Helping an Elderly Practitioner Overcome a Tribulation

(Minghui.org) Jing, an elderly woman in our Fa study group, has practiced Falun Dafa for more than 20 years. She used to diligently attend Fa study and publicly clarified the facts about Falun Dafa to people every day. In 2015, local police illegally arrested this woman after she submitted a criminal complaint against Jiang Zemin, former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for initiating the persecution of Falun Dafa. Unable to withstand the stress of her arrest, her husband collapsed and was admitted to the hospital. He passed away within a few days.

Jing had lost her only son soon after obtaining Dafa. Now, after the death of her husband she was left all alone. During her illegal detention, she started displaying symptoms of cerebral thrombosis and a spinal disorder. 

I went to see this practitioner one night after her release. Despite knocking on her door for some time, I received no response. I then pressed her doorbell and listened carefully for any sounds. A few minutes later, I heard her say faintly, “Who is it?” After I responded with my name, Jing opened the door to let me in. 

Sickness karma had left the elderly practitioner so weak she could barely walk. Her spine was bent more than 90 degrees at the waist, her complexion was pale, and her eyes and mouth were crooked to one side. Before her illegal detention, Jing would walk up and down seven flights of stairs daily in order to attend Fa study. Her ill appearance left me momentarily speechless. 

Jing felt that malevolent forces also tried to derail her cultivation path by using her relatives. Her elder sister asked her to go to a nursing home. Her sister-in-law advised her to go immediately to the hospital for treatment. Her brother-in-law personally drove down to her home and kindly attempted to persuade her, “You can’t stay alone at home. If anything were to happen to you, I will have let my elder brother down. Sister-in-law, come stay with me, it’s too dangerous for you to live alone.” The elderly practitioner told them, “I’m not going anywhere. Master continues to take care of me, so I’ll be fine. There is no need to worry.”

After listening to her experiences, admiration towards this practitioner blossomed in my heart. Despite her severely ill condition, she still chose to believe in Master, continuing to study the Fa and send forth righteous thoughts despite her ordeal.

I suggested, “Let’s study the Fa at your home instead.” She nodded in agreement. Jing had been trembling uncontrollably, and when I asked after her condition she said, “I’ve been in constant pain for the last three days and nights. My entire body hurts. I want to do the exercises but cannot remain standing for long. I don’t know what to do.”

By then it was very late at night. Although I had to return home, I was worried about leaving this elderly practitioner. At this point, I remembered Master’s teachings, 

“Every moment in your life is part of your spiritual journey, and at every moment I am looking after you.” (“Another Stern Warning”) 

Immediately the chaos in my mind became calm and I knew what to do. I told Jing, “Master is always by our side. Tonight, if it hurts so badly you find it hard to sleep, read the Fa aloud. Let go of everything and put your faith in Dafa.”

The following morning, I returned to Jing’s home accompanied by another practitioner. She opened her door as soon as she heard our knocking. She had followed my advice last night and appeared in much less pain. We started to discuss our understandings, then proceeded to study three lectures in Zhuan Falun, the primary book that guides our Falun Dafa cultivation practice. That afternoon, we went out to clarify the facts and save sentient beings.

Three months ago, Jing’s relatives had resigned themselves to prepare for her funeral. However, she had successfully overcome her tribulation with Master’s help. Now, besides being able to live independently, she has resumed climbing seven flights of stairs daily to distribute truth clarification materials to the public. 

Our Fa study group consists of four members. As we helped this elderly practitioner overcome her tribulation, we all looked inward and examined our own cultivation states as well. Whenever a human attachment was exposed, we identified and eliminated it. As a result, everyone within our Fa study group also achieved much improvement in character as a result of helping another through a tribulation.

During this time, I uncovered various attachments such as jealousy, competitiveness, resentment, contempt for others, desire for fame, fortune and self-interest. These various attachments were eliminated one by one. Although I suffered from symptoms of illness a few times, I considered these manifestations of karmic tribulations instead of human illnesses. After identifying my failings and sending forth righteous thoughts, these false symptoms would disappear, leaving my body and mind purified.

One of the other practitioners began helping Jing with her housework, cooking her meals and tidying up her home. She also began arriving early each morning to practice the exercises with her fellow practitioner. She found herself searching inwards more often during this period. Before long, her own illness was cured, and she could see the words in Zhuan Falun glittering with gold. 

Another practitioner in our study group also spent time sharing her understandings with Jing. With her help, she managed to let go of her attachments to sentimentality and wealth. This practitioner also took the initiative to improve our physical cultivation environment. 

Group Fa study is an important cultivation tool arranged by Master. Through this process we experienced the many miraculous capabilities of Dafa. With eternal gratitude towards Master, we remain determined to cultivate to the end and live up to Master’s compassionate salvation.